would rather...than/would prefer...rather than

would rather 和 would prefer 都可以用来表达取舍,但结构不同。在前一结构中,than 与舍去的项连用,而在后一结构中,rather than 与舍去的项连用。

1. I would rather listen to others than talk myself. (PEG) 我宁愿听别人说话,而不愿意自己说。

2. I would prefer to read rather than sit idle. (ALD) 我宁愿读书,而不愿闲坐着。